After listening to Zhang Xingyi's words, Guan Ji put down the charcoal in her hand, walked over and looked at the sand table, with a thoughtful look on her face.
She thought for a long time, then picked up the whip and tapped it on the sand table:
"Since the Han Dynasty, Anding County has been a half-wall barrier preventing the barbarians from the northern desert from going south. It would be a good thing if we could find out the details of the Qiang Hu in the north of the desert in advance."
Zhang Xingyi looked along Guan Ji's whip, but saw that her long whip was not pointed at Anding County, but at an unmarked blank space.
She pointed to the place where the whip hit and asked, "What is this place?"
"Beidi County, the other half of the barrier to the north of Chang'an."
Guan Ji replied.
Anding County and Beidi County, one to the west and one to the east, guard the north of Chang'an.
During the Pre-Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu often entered through Xiaoguan in Anding County and threatened Chang'an.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, the country's strength increased. Emperor Xiaowu went out of Xiaoguan twice to patrol the northwest border and put troops on the fortress to intimidate the Huns.
After the Xiongnu were repeatedly defeated by the Han Dynasty and were no longer able to invade the south, Anding County was able to truly stabilize.
As for Beidi County, it was occupied by Kaixiao in the early Later Han Dynasty. Qiang and Hu were entrenched here, forcing Han officials to move inward.
In the late Later Han Dynasty, there was also the Liangzhou Rebellion, and the Qiang and Hu from the northern counties responded one after another, forcing Han officials to continue to move south.
Today's Beidi County boundary is less than 30% of the original, and the northern boundary has become a horse herding land for Qiang and Hu.
Zhang Xingyi's eyes fell on the blank space next to Anding County and murmured: "In other words, the barbarians in the desert can directly enter Beidi County from the north?"
Guan Ji nodded, "That's right."
Her whip drew a circle on the north side of Northland County:
"This place used to be the territory of the Han Dynasty, but during the reign of Emperor Huanling, Xianbei Hu repeatedly invaded the south."
"In addition, Emperor Ling sent a large army to the fortress for more than 2,000 miles, but was defeated by the Xianbei Hu, and almost all the army was wiped out. Since then, the northern part of Beidi County has been given to the Hu people."
Zhang Xingyi's mind was spinning very fast. When he heard Guan Ji's words, he immediately understood:
"Sister, are you trying to take advantage of the barbarians in the north of Beidi County?"
Because Xiaoguan blocked the way for the barbarians from the north to go south, the boundaries of Anding County have not changed much, but Beidi County has no such dangerous pass.
Guan Ji shook her head, "How can it be that easy? The Hu people are not my race, and their minds must be different. How can we take advantage of them before we are sure that we can control them?"
"If we allow them to go south, I'm afraid they will suffer backlash. The chaos in Liangzhou is a lesson learned from the past, so it's too early to take advantage of them now."
Why did the Han Dynasty delay in entering Liangzhou despite having the ability to do so?
As the person who protects the Qiang Colonel, Guan Ji is deeply influenced by Feng Junhou, and naturally has a far-sighted vision than Zhang Xingyi.
Liangzhou's power is one thing, and the integration of the Hu people is also another.
Liangzhou is difficult to govern because the local tyrants and the barbarians are entangled. Only by separating the two can we start to govern.
Now it seems that Alang is indeed prescient.
Otherwise, if something happens in Guanzhong, the Protector Qiang Colonel's Mansion and the Longyou Governor's Mansion may not be able to go east.
Thinking of this, Guan Ji asked again:
"Where is the Lord now? When will he return?"
Zhang Xingyi was startled when he heard this and glanced at Guan Ji involuntarily:
"She should have returned to Longyou. As for where exactly she is, I don't know."
Guan Ji nodded: "If he has returned to Longyou, then Alang should go to Jicheng first."
From Qishan, if you want to go north to Pingxiang, you will definitely pass through Jicheng.
So when Guan Ji said "a trip to Jicheng", she didn't mean passing by Jicheng, but that she went to discuss matters with General Zhao.
Hearing these words, Zhang Xingyi curled his lips secretly:
Ah! So what if you know his schedule, as for showing off to me? Where does he go? What does it have to do with me?
After thinking about it, Secretary Zhang kicked the table leg angrily, and at the same time cursed in his heart: "You are so heartless!"
Jicheng.
The main street in front of the Governor's Mansion in Longyou.
The news from Guanzhong has spread more or less throughout Jicheng.
Although there was no panic yet, not many people were wandering the streets.
There were sergeants beating gongs on the street to clean the streets, and shouting at the few pedestrians on the street to get out of the way.
Soon, a group of knights came from a short distance like wind and clouds, their iron hooves stepping on the ground, making a dull sound of thunder.
"Hush!"
The leading knight reined in his horse in front of the Governor's Mansion. As the tall war horse's front hooves fell from the air, the knight on the horse turned over and landed on the ground, throwing away the reins at the same time.
The guards who had been guarding the gate of the Governor's Mansion hurried forward, catching the reins with one hand and holding the bridle with the other.
"I've met the Lord!"
Zhao Yun's personal guard commander saluted.
Feng Yong nodded slightly, without stopping, and hurriedly walked towards the door: "Where is the old general?"
"I am waiting for you at my house. Please come with me."
The guard captain trotted ahead to lead the way.
Just like Zhao Yun could enter and leave the Qiang Protector's mansion at will, Feng Junhou could also visit General Zhao directly without sending a greeting card in advance.
Compared with the slightly tense atmosphere in Jicheng, the Dudu Mansion, which was guarding Longyou's safety, was much more relaxed.
Because the Governor of Longyou was still in the mood to practice shooting.
Feng Yong stood next to the martial arts training ground, watching the spear in Zhao Yun's hand dancing like a pear blossom, and his somewhat impatient mood relaxed.
Seeing the wonderful things, Feng Yong clapped his hands and praised: "The old general is really getting stronger with age, and his majesty has not diminished!"
After practicing a round of spear skills, Zhao Yun handed the gun to the guard waiting next to him, then took the towel and wiped his sweat:
"I know my own body. If you can live for one day now, you will earn one more day. How dare you compare yourself to General Fubo (Ma Yuan, as he calls himself strong)?"
Feng Yong saw that Zhao Yun had finished wiping his sweat and was about to reach out to take the towel. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yun glared at him and threw the towel to the guard beside him.
Feng Yong was startled and did not react for a moment:
The old man looks like this, does he have a problem with me? I didn't offend you, did I? The Cao thief in Guanzhong was not summoned by me. What do you mean?
After all, I am also a prince, can't you give me some face?
Zhao Yun waved his hand and told everyone to get down, and then he started walking in front of himself, and then he lectured:
"I know that you and Erlang are like brothers, and privately regard me as an elder. That is natural. But you are here today for official business."
"I asked you to come in through the front door. Don't you still understand your identity? After all, you are a prince of the Han Dynasty. You can't act like a prince in front of your servants?"
"Bend yourself to serve me. Is that what you, a high-ranking captain who protects the Qiang, should do?"
Feng Yongzheng followed behind full of slander, and only then did he understand after hearing these words.
At that moment, he said nonchalantly: "Old general, it doesn't matter in private. Besides, the guards in this house are not outsiders..."
The personal guard is a general's last guarantee and the most trustworthy person.
They and the general have a life-or-death, good-and-bad relationship.
Zhao Yun walked in front and did not answer Feng Yong's words. He led him directly to a deserted small hall. After sitting down, he pointed around:
"Now it's called private."
Feng Yong understood, picked up the teapot on the table, poured a bowl of tea for Zhao Yun, and then found a place to sit down.
Zhao Yun was probably really thirsty and drank most of the bowl of tea before continuing:
"How old are you? You still don't understand what I just meant? I'm telling you that you are a personal guard? I'm reminding you that you should pay attention to your identity in the future."
As he spoke, he spat out a leaf stem and said, "I will earn one more day every day I live. You are different. Every day you live one more day, you will suffer one more day."
"Because among your generation, you are probably the most outstanding one. This important task of destroying thieves and reviving the Han Dynasty must be completed by you assisting your majesty. I guess I can't wait..."
Feng Yong said quickly: "I just watched the old general dance with his spear. I'm afraid I can't survive three moves with the old general's spear. The old general is so healthy, how can he say such ominous words?"
Zhao Yun waved his hand, "Who knows my own body better than me? In the past two years, when I trained Erlang, I could beat him until he lay on the ground and couldn't get up."
"Now beating him hard will make him limp a few steps. He will become old when he is old. He has insufficient energy and blood and cannot keep up with his strength."
Feng Yong: "Maybe Erlang's skin is thicker..."
"Stop talking nonsense! Let's talk business to you."
Zhao Yun scolded.
Feng Yong did not dare to talk back, so he could only lower his head.
Zhao Yun continued to teach:
"This reputation is spread from person to person. What about the personal guards? It was fine when I was here, but if I am really gone, who can guarantee what will happen next?"
"You didn't care about your reputation before, but how can you do the same now? If the Prime Minister doesn't have a reputation for justice, how can Liao Li, Li Yan and others bow down so easily?"
With that said, Zhao Yun leaned back on the chair and said slowly, "You will be the one who will shoulder heavy burdens from now on. From now on, you have to protect this reputation carefully."
"That's why I just said that when there are outsiders, you have to act like a king. If you have a high position but no dignity, how can you convince others?"
Although he didn't understand why the old man suddenly mentioned this, Feng Yong still replied respectfully: "You should always remember the words of the old general."
Seeing that Feng Yong had listened, Zhao Yun nodded with satisfaction:
"The news from the Prime Minister from Hanzhong arrived yesterday. I have already sent someone to inform Pingxiang. What do you think of Cao Cao's movements this time?"
In order to strengthen local control, the Han Dynasty had a tradition of setting up post roads and building buildings on the post roads.
The reason why the Former Han Dynasty was able to firmly control the Western Regions is inseparable from the post road that stretched from Chang'an to the Western Regions.
After the late emperor acquired Hanzhong, he also built many postal booths between Jincheng and Hanzhong.
After Longyou was recaptured, in order to strengthen the connection between Hanzhong and Longyou, and with the help of Dongfeng Express, there were postal stations and postal booths every dozens of miles along the Western Han River.
Feng Yong and his party turned back halfway. Even if they rode on horseback, their speed was still not as fast as that of the post envoy from Hanzhong to Jicheng. This was because the post envoy had a relay from the post post box and kept going all the way.
"As early as July, Xiaowei's Mansion received news that Cao's army in Guanzhong was being mobilized frequently. In my opinion, they are determined to fight this battle."
When talking about business, Feng Yong's expression became serious.
The caravans passing from Hanzhong or Longyou are all under the strict supervision of Wei State. It is not easy to find out the information.
The ones who can get valuable information are actually the rangers who have a wide network of friends.
Nanxiang, as the "holy land" in the hearts of knights all over the world, naturally has a unique advantage in using the knights' social network.
In the past few years, youxiaer has acquiesced in Nanxiang's rules, and few people use force to break the rules.
However, the reason why the Rangers are called Rangers is that they are more unruly and rebellious after all. They do not like to be restrained and always like to wander around.
Nanxiang will provide enough money for those who want to go out and see the world.
Anyway, for Nanxiang, there is always no shortage of money.
The only requirement is that at certain special times, or when conditions permit, they can help a group of brothers find them.
As for where these brothers come from, that doesn't matter.
We are all brothers within the four seas.
With the establishment of the Qiang Protector's Office, Feng Yong could finally legitimately take this intelligence network into his own hands.
In fact, the Protector Qiang Colonel's Mansion had already warned the Longyou Governor's Mansion and the Hanzhong Prime Minister's Mansion about this news.
According to Feng Yong's thinking, Cao Zhen could at most continue his actions at the beginning of the year and want to test and recapture Long Pass or Xiao Pass.
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao's thief's movement would be so big, and all the Guanzhong army would be dispatched.
This was not only beyond Feng Yong's expectation, but even the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty was caught off guard.
Zhao Yun also frowned at Cao Cao's big move: "The news from the Prime Minister said that Cao Cao's 100,000 troops are going to enter Hanzhong from Ziwu Valley. What do you think?"
Along the way, Feng Yong had deduced this countless times:
"Although Ziwu Valley is the shortest distance, it is difficult to travel. As long as the terrain at the entrance of the valley stops the thieves, and then sends elite soldiers to cross the paths to harass the rear, what does Cao's 100,000-strong army have to fear?"
"I'm just afraid. There are several smooth roads from Guanzhong to Hanzhong and Longyou. Cao's thieves pretending to go to Ziwu Valley is a plan to attack the east and attack the west."
"Sign up in the east and attack in the west?" Zhao Yun was slightly startled. Thinking of the thirty-six strategies that Zhao Guang told him, he couldn't help but look at Feng Yong with something strange:
"If it is true that he is attacking in the east and west, where do you think Cao Zhen will go?"
Feng Yong said without hesitation: "Of course it's Longguan and Xiaoguan."
Whether it is Baoxie Dao or Chencang Dao, they will eventually enter Hanzhong to face the old demon Zhuge. What is the point of attacking in the east and attacking in the west?
"Ziwu Valley is the farthest away from Longyou. If we first use a partial division to attract the prime minister's troops, and then attack Longyou by surprise, Hanzhong's reinforcements to Longyou will be delayed by at least ten days."
Based on the current situation in Guanzhong, Hanzhong and Longyou, whoever can regain his strength first and take the initiative to attack will be able to seize the opportunity.
If the big man attacks first, he can attack from both sides.
If Wei attacks first, it can freely choose its direction, and reinforcements will be inconvenient between Longyou and Hanzhong.
Last time, the Han Dynasty took the advantage and captured Longyou.
This time, it seemed that Cao really wanted to take the initiative.
After hearing this, Zhao Yun pondered for a long time, and then slowly said:
"On the other hand, if Cao Cao really sends troops to Hanzhong, Longyou's troops will not be able to reinforce Hanzhong as soon as possible."
Before receiving the news that Cao Cao was definitely attacking Hanzhong, Longyou could only stand still.
Otherwise, if we really have to mobilize troops to go to Hanzhong, and only learn that the real direction of Cao's thieves is Longyou halfway, then we can't look at each other from the beginning to the end.
Without timely radio communication, Longyou and Hanzhong were in a semi-independent situation, which tested the commander's strategic vision.
The Longyou Governor's Mansion cannot be moved lightly, and the only mobile force is to protect the Qiang Colonel's Mansion.
Zhao Yun looked at Feng Yong: "I am responsible for the area south of Longguan. Only Xiaoguan is located to the east of Longshan and far away from Jicheng. How about handing it over to the Mansion of the Colonel who protects the Qiang?"
Feng Yong stood up and clasped his fists: "The last general takes orders!"
The Longyou Dudufu is responsible for the southern section of Longshan, and is also responsible for reinforcing Hanzhong at any time.
The Protector Qiang Xiaowei Mansion is responsible for the northern section of Longshan, and at the same time, he must pay attention to the counterattack of the Cao thieves in Liangzhou.
After the two men who held the military power in Longyou finished their discussion, Feng Yong asked again:
"Old General, Cao Cao's elite cavalry is a formidable enemy. Although Xiaowei Mansion has formed a cavalry army in the past two years, Erlang has no formal experience in leading a cavalry army..."
It would be wrong to say that Zhao Guang had no experience in leading cavalry.
They had led some scattered cavalry before, but this was the first time for a regular cavalry of this size, so Feng Yong had to be careful.
Zhao Yun waved his hand impatiently before Feng Yong finished speaking:
"Back then, I was just a supporting general in Gongsun Bogui's army. Didn't he later become the late emperor's main rider?"
"Besides, does Liu Hun have experience in leading an army from the beginning? And he wants to lead the cavalry of the Governor's Mansion, so there is no way he can lend it to you."
"Erlang is also named Zhao after all. He has been with you for so many years. No matter how stupid he is, he can still learn something."
Seeing that the old man didn't regard Zhao Guang as his son, Feng Yong felt calmer.
Well, it seems that Erlang has made a lot of progress, at least he has initially been recognized by the old man, otherwise the old man would not have this attitude based on his temperament.
